GYPSY ROSE LEE {ETHEL MERMAN} (TV)
Summary
One in this syndicated talk show series hosted by former burlesque star Gypsy Rose Lee. Lee introduces her guest, actress Ethel Merman, who begins by explaining her son, Robert Levitt, Jr.'s, role with the American Conservatory Theater. Lee then discusses Merman's decision to play Mama Rose in the Broadway musical version of Lee's own life story, "Gypsy," and they both trade insights into the similarities between Merman and the character she plays. Lee shows segments from her own black-and-white home movies of rehearsals for "Gypsy" atop Manhattan's New Amsterdam Theater, featuring Merman, Sandra Church as Gypsy, and the show's director-choreographer Jerome Robbins, lyricist Stephen Sondheim, and composer Jule Styne. Next, Merman recalls trying to paint a sympathetic picture of a strong, not always lovable woman; talks about her latest project, a television version of "Annie Get Your Gun"; and refutes the veracity of certain well-known tales and impressions about her. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: Syndicated
- DATE: November 30, 1964
- RUNNING TIME: 0:24:15
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:58979
- GENRE: Talk/Interviews
- SUBJECT HEADING: Actors; Interviews; Theater
- SERIES RUN: Syndicated TV series, 1964-1965
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Marty Pasetta … Executive Producer, Director
- Gary Loughlin … Associate Producer
- Gypsy Rose Lee … Host
- Ethel Merman … Guest
- Sandra Church
- Robert Levitt
- Jerome Robbins
- Stephen Sondheim
- Jule Styne